Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are an important part of LSSI’s mission to bring healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities. LSSI works to connect people served to their community and provide opportunities for volunteers to help in meaningful ways. The need in our communities is ongoing, and it takes time to build relationships. Due to this, volunteer opportunities are most often a long-term partnership commitment rather than one-time opportunities. This promotes relationships and community and best serves our clients, staff, and volunteers.
Volunteer opportunities are currently open to groups. Groups of any kind may volunteer: faith communities, companies, volunteer groups, or others. Groups should have a contact person who coordinates with LSSI staff. For more information about what is currently available, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
If you are looking for internship opportunities at LSSI, visit the Internships page.
Partnership Opportunities:
Birthday Buddies
LSSI has nine group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Dixon, Sterling, Aurora, Beardstown, Homer Glen, Stockton, and Chicago. “Birthday Buddies” are churches or groups that partner with LSSI for a one–year commitment to provide simple birthday celebrations for each resident at one specific group home.
- Celebrations should be similar to each other, balancing equality and individuality.
- Celebrations might include greeting cards, decorations, a snack, or a small gift. (Typical budget for each celebration is $20-$50 per resident.)
- Church volunteers will coordinate Birthday Buddy visits with LSSI staff, to ensure that the celebrations are appropriate and convenient for everyone.
“Birthday Buddies is a tangible, authentic, and realistic way for small to medium–sized congregations to connect with LSSI residents. Those who live at our homes often live there for life, and so integrating the residents into our communities, or our churches, is a life-long and essential ministry.”
Neighbor Network
LSSI has 20 apartment homes for seniors located in Aurora, Batavia, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Danville, Decatur, Dolton, Elmwood Park, Freeport, Joliet, Lansing, Rochelle, Rockford, Taylorville, and Wilmette. Neighbor Network partners are churches or groups that make a one-year commitment to one location and provide birthday cheer, opportunities for community, or planned events coordinated with the program manager. Here are some ways that groups have partnered:
- Commit to sending a birthday card, flowers, balloon, or other small gesture to each resident on their birthday.
- Host a bingo event or summer cook out at the apartment and provide the food, decor, and volunteers.
- Invite residents to events in the community or at your place of worship and offer to coordinate transportation.
This is a great use for Thrivent Action Grants and/or an opportunity for multiple congregations to work together!
“The young people were overly exuberant about doing work so they washed my windows, they cleaned above the cabinets because I can’t reach that, and we sat and talked for a while, and I enjoyed the faith-based group. I feel it’s comforting to me; that’s the only word I can use.
Additional Opportunities
The Associate Board is a volunteer leadership group of young professionals who support LSSI’s mission and serve the organization by increasing awareness, raising funds, and providing council. Applications to join the associate board are now open. Click here to learn more.
Interest Form